Jones lands with a 9-2 team heading to the playoffs
Daniel Jones is reportedly signing with the Minnesota Vikings, per both Adam Schefter and Jordan Schultz.
Jones has been a free agent since Monday afternoon after clearing waivers. The Giants benched the 2019 No. 6 overall pick before Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then waived him when he requested his release after being relegated to QB3.
Jones had interest from several teams after clearing waivers. The Las Vegas Raiders, who recently lost starting quarterback Gardner Minshew for the season, were one of the team reportedly interested in Jones.
In Minnesota, Jones will join a 9-2 Vikings team that should cruise into the NFC playoffs. Minnesota is quarterback by the resurgent Sam Darnold, who is having the best year of his seven-year NFL career.
Perhaps Jones feels he can learn and grow under the direction of Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Here is something O’Connell said about Jones earlier in the week:
“I will say, tons of respect for Daniel Jones as a player and a person,” O’Connell said. “Got to know him through the draft process years ago. I’m sure now that he’s a free agent and there’s probably a ton of leaguewide interest in him, Daniel is going to make the decision that is best for him and his career moving forward, and I’m sure he’s working through that process right now. … I can just say that I’ve been a big fan of Daniel’s for a long time, and I hope wherever his next step takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him.”
The Vikings were likely looking for insurance behind Darnold as they make their playoff run. The backups for Darnold have been Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien.
The Giants started Tommy DeVito at quarterback in Sunday’s 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DeVito, who has a forearm injury and general body soreness, was limited in practice on Tuesday and the Giants are not certain he will play Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he is on IR with a knee injury. The Giants had a chance to select McCarthy, but took wide receiver Malik Nabers.